Turbo nozzle spraydamper



y 25, 1957 K. NAGLER ETAL 3,332,625

TURBO NOZZLE SPRAYDAMPER' Filed June 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 43 15 n MJ A Fig.1

AT! .NEY

July 25, 1967 K. NAGLER ETAL TURBO NOZZLE SPRAYDAMPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 29, 1965 Enema/17% w sum H NNW wmm

AA A KK mined quantity of moisture to an advancing web of United StatesPatent 3,332,625 TURBO NOZZLE SPRAYDAMPER Karl Niigler and Karl Winheim,Frankfurt am Main, Germany, assignors to VIB Apparatebau G.m.b.H.,Frankfurt am Main, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed June 29,1965, Ser. No. 468,047 Claims priority, application Germany, July 4,1964, V 26,303 12 Claims. (Cl. 239344) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aspray damping device arranged to apply a predeter- 15 fibrous materialby rotation of a valve member to control the amount of water introducedin the form of a spray to the web from a source of supply in lieu ofstopping operation of the machine to change jet nozzles.

The invention relates to a device for spraying and applying liquid mediasuch as water or liquid chemical agents to traveling dry fiber material,especially paper webs, cardboard, wool, cotton, linen, or the like, withthe device which is especially suited for arrangement on a papermachine, comprising a set of spraying nozzles preferably disposedtransverse to the traveling direction of the web, which are fed from aliquid dispenser tube to which an air supply tube is connected.

Devices moistening webs of paper and the like are known which areprovided with a transversely extending row of atomizing jets that arepositioned across the web of paper. These jets apply the moisteningsolution to the web of material in a very finely atomized form as ittraverses therebeneath. With one known arrangement, the liquid to besprayed is delivered to a liquid dispenser which extends across the webof material. The liquid in the tube is kept under atmospheric pressureat any desired, adjustable level. In such an organization, suction tubesare arranged to project into the liquid dispenser tube at spacedintervals, these tubes being adapted to extend to the atomizing jets.leading from an air dispenser tube, which also extends across the web ofthe fibrous material, are short lines with an air regulation controltap. These lines lead to the atomizing heads. The air in such a systemis under a very low pressure of about 0.05 to 0.2 atmospheres.

Furthermore, in this known system regulation of the atomized, as well asthe sprayed, liquid mass is possible by means of the pressure on the airbeing supplied and the state of the liquid in the liquid dispenser tube.Thus, with an increase in the liquid level, as well as with an increasein the pressure under which the air is delivered to the atomizing jets,the mass of sprayed liquid increases. Also, with this type ofarrangement, one can achieve a maximum regulation range of about 1:6(i.e. 1 part fluid to 6 parts air). Moreover, the amount of liquid beingatomized and applied to the web of material will be determined by thenumber of jets being used. Accordingly, with such a device, one mustchange the entire jet assembly. Disregarding the fact that thisoperation takes time during which the machine lies idle, a number of jetassemblies must be available in stock and of which only one assembly canbe maintained in operation at any given time. Because these jets must bemade with great precision, they are expensive and holding them instorage can be quite costly.

It has, of course, been shown particularly with atomizc ing fixturesworking under very low pressure that the distance by which the suctiontubes extend into the liquid dispenser tube and from which they lead tothe atomizing jets exerts an influence upon the mass of fluid atomized.

With an increase in the diameter of the suction tube, the mass of liquidsprayed increases. Hereby, it is not,

5 however, required that the entire length of the suction tube possess.the sometimes desired cross-section from the end that sticks into theliquid dispenser tube right up to the atomizing jet. It suffices,rather, if a substantial portion of the entire length has the determinedcrosssection.

Accordingly, the primary object of the invention is to provide anarrangement whereby the fluid to be emitted from the jets may becontrolled without the necessity of substitution of other jet elements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means forcontrolling the spray being emitted from the jets without idling themachine to change jets.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a selector-controlmeans which may be operated in any convenient manner to vary the fluidemitted from the jets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable longitudinallyaperture reciprocable valve which is interposed between and cooperateswith a plurality of suction tubes and the selector-control means.

A further object of the invention is to provide suction tubes theinternal diameter of which cover a complete range of sizes therebyfacilitating introduction of the fluid from the reservoir to the jetsthrough any one of the sizes selected.

Another further object of the invention is to provide a selection ofavailable tubes of varying widths (i.e. diameters) and the provision ofa selector located between the suction tube and the jet fixture, saidselector being adapted for opening one or several of the suction tubessimultaneously.

With the selection of a specific suction tube width, the atomized liquidmass can be finely induced within a definite limit into the liquiddispenser tube by means of the air pressure and liquid level. Thevarious widths of suction tubes are selected purposefully so that thepertinent adjustment ranges desired at the time somewhat overlap or arecontiguous with one another; thus, the maximum working range of theentire arrangement is obtained. The dimension of this total rangedepends then upon the number of individual suction tubes andsimultaneously permits selection from the available number of suctiontubes as desired.

For practical improvements of the invention, the suction tube apertureswhich branch oil the liquid dispenser tube serving as liquid reservoirsare arranged in a circular arc, and the selector-control means comprisesa rotary slide valve provided with an eccentric linear bore whichempties into an intersecting cross channel on the jet side. This crosschannel is connected to an annulus which leads to the jets. With thisarrangement, the individual suction tubes, whcih extend to a shortdistance above the floor of the reservoir, run parallel to one anotherand open into the end cap of the suction tube that has been fitted withseparate bores in an arc which correspond to the various suction tubewidths.

Fitted on the end of the suction tube cap is an adjustable rotary slidevalve the eccentric bore of which can be brought into alignment with theindividual bores of the end cap. The rotary slide valve bore, then, isat least as large as the largest suction tube diameter. The length ofthe gauged suction tube from the end that sticks into the liquiddispenser tube to the end cap sufiices completely in obtaining thedesired effect. The portion of the rotary slide valve that joins thesuction tube does not have any effect upon the quantity dispensedregardless of the fact that it may possess a greater diameter than thesuction tube opposite which it may be at the time. From this eccentriclinear bore, the liquid can flow through the cross channel into theannulus; and from there, independent of the position of the rotary slidevalve, flow through the annulus to the atomizing jet.

The bore in the suction tube cap may be arranged so that the bore of therotary slide valve can be, with appropriate improvement of the end,selectively connected with several bores simultaneously with the resultthat the sum of the cross sections of the individual bores becomeseffective.

The rotary valve can be actuated by a small hand wheel and arranged tobe locked in separate positions. On the other hand, it is also possibleto make the rotary slide valves of the collective heads movesimultaneously by means of a common mechanical drive.

The present invention makes it possible, by using the eflect of thesuction tube width, to obtain several times the range of former devicesin spraying liquid mass without changing the atomizer jets. Thus,without anything additional, the total adjustment range of sprayedliquid mass per unit of time of 1:50 can be achieved where knowncomparable devices oifered far less.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon a further readingof the following detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the improvement of this invention partially inelevation and partially in cross-section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on line A-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view partially in phantom lines of onetransversely extending spray head assembly showing a series of sprayjets one of which is in crosssection;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one jet head;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view on line 55 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic showing of electrical means for actuating thespray heads from a remote control station.

Turning now to the drawings and considering first the view in FIG. 1,there is shown a liquid reservoir or chamber 19 the wall of which issuitably provided with longitudinally spaced perforations at 11 witheach thereof be ing adapted to receive therethrough the upperextremities of suction tubes 12 and 13 and t0 the end of which areapplied an apertured capping nipple 14. Reinforcing neck portions 15 arerigidly secured to the reservoir as at 16 thus enshrouding theoffstanding exit end portions of the suction tubes 12 and 13 with eachneck portion including a free end onto which a screw cap 18 is screwed.

A longitudinally bored stud 19 is provided at one end with an annularflange 20. Between the annular flange and capping nipple 14 is a seal22.

From an examination of FIG. 2, it will be observed that rotatably andslidably positioned within sleeve 19 is a tubular valve member 24provided with a longitudinally extending eccentrically disposedpassageway 25 which is adapted to be aligned with either of the suctiontubes 12 or 13, by means of a knob 26 which is affixed to the reducedextremity 27 of the tubular member 24 that projects through bore 28. Atransversely extending passageway 29 permits communication between thelongitudinally extending passageway 25 and nipple 30 to which is secureda flanged threaded member 31 that is, in turn, adapted to support theatomizing head 32. A spring 33, which surrounds the reduced portion ofextremity 27, abuts the necked portion 23 at one end and its oppositeend applies force through the thrust washer 34 and an O-ring 35 againstthe valve member 24.

Referring now to FIG. 3, air under pressure from a compressor (notshown) is introduced through tube and cut-off valve 41 past themanometer 42 into an elongated air distribution tube 43 which, asillustrated in the drawing, is fed from one end of the tube. Withparticularly wide papermaking machines, it is advisable to feed the airin from several points, for example, into both ends of the tube 43.

On the air distribution tube 43, flexible hose means 44, 45, 46 and 47are fastened onto nozzles (not shown). The number of such connections isoptional and is dependent upon the area which has to be sprayed at anygiven time. However, for an obvious reason it is advantageous to arrangethe hose connections at predetermined equal distances from one anotherwith the hoses being each connected by a hose nozzle 48 to an aircontrol means 49 that is connected, in turn, with the jet head 32, thebeing best shown in cross-section in FIG. 4.

The primary purpose of the air valve means 49" is to cut off any fluidfrom any particular spray head by throttling the air should thatnecessity arise. Turning now to the schematic view in FIG. 4, there isshown a jet head 32 with two water jets 50 and 51, which are positionedat definite divergent angles to one another. The perimeters of thesewater jets 50 and 51 are surrounded by air jets 52 and 53, the annularair spaces 'of each of which tapers toward the direction of the operaend of the water jackets. The upper extremity of the jet head 32 isscrewed into the flanged threaded member 31 as shown. Center sections ofthe water jets such as shown at 54 are surrounded by substantiallycircular air chambers 55 which, in turn, are connected with alongitudinally extending feeder canal 56 provided in the jet head.

The air rotor 57, which has a spirally arranged configuration, causesthe incoming air to be driven in a rotary motion and thus forces italong the exterior surface of the jacket of the water jets, whereuponthe swirling air exits and rotates about the short nose or nozzle pieceof the water jet. Here, the rotating air being emitted in a convergentstream merges again in front of the water jet and causes the desiredsuction effect on the liquid contained in the reservoir.

The spiral air rotors 5757, which telescope the water jets 50 and 51,are adapted to float relative thereto between the shoulders 5858 of thewater jet and the enlarged cylindrical areas 5959 provided in the jacketof the air jet 32 which is threadedly secured in the jet head andretained therein further by the cap screws 60'60.

The water jets 50 and 51 are connected by their axially extending canal56 to other intersecting canals 61, 62 in the rear end of the jet headand thence to the flanged threaded members 31 which communicate with thesuction tubes 12 and 13.

The suction tubes 12 and 13 terminate a short distance from thebottom-most portion of the reservoir 10. The diameter of the reservoir,which is considerably larger than the diameter of the air distributiontube, is adapted to support the jet heads as shown. The reservoir 10 isfed from only one side, as shown. However, when the width of the area tobe sprayed exceeds certain dimensions, it is advisable to use a dualfeed therefor as those skilled in this art understand.

The liquid supply furnished to the reservoir 10 takes place through thepressure equalization chamber 63 (FIGS. 3 and 5) which is fastened bymeans of a pipe clamping means 64 to the exterior surface of thereservoir by means of an adjustment device generally indicated at 65.

The adjustment device 65 includes a bracket 66 within the aperturedflanges of each end of which an elongated threaded member 67 ispositioned, with the upper extremity being provided with a hand wheel68. When the threaded member is rotated by the hand wheel, it causes thenut member 69, which is provided with a lug 70, to be moved up or downalong the axis thereof and to thereby raise and lower the pressureequalization chamber which is suitably attached to the lug 70.

The pressure equalization chamber serves to alter the level of liquid inreservoir 10. For this reason, the pressure equalization chamber has aball float 71 which is connected by means of an actuating rod 72 to avalve means 73 which, in turn, regulates the amount of incoming liquid.

The liquid flows from the pressure equalization chamber 63 through ahose 74 into reservoir 10. The liquid level at any given time in thereservoir is governed by the level of the pressure equalization chamberwith respect thereto. The reservoir is provided with an adjustableoverflow pipe 75, the control for which is achieved by means of aknurled threaded member 76.

The position of the mouth of the liquid level pipe 75 which extends upinto the reservoir, controls the level of the liquid therein. Thus, theliquid level is constantly maintained by adjustment of the pressureequalization chamber 63 with respect to the reservoir, with thisadjustment being achieved by means of the adjustment arrangementdescribed hereinbefore. When the liquid level in the reservoir is low,the pressure equalization chamber must be lowered; and when the liquidlevel therein is high, the chamber must be correspondingly raised. Ifthe jet heads cease to emit spraying liquid, then the float operatedvalve 71, through the medium of rod 72, moves valve means 73automatically to a previously determined higher position and in so doingallows the liquid level in the reservoir to rise to the level of themouth of the overflow pipe 75.

The spraying of the liquid is achieved with the aid of an air streamdelivered to the air distribution tube 40 from a compressor (not shown).Should this entire air stream be throttled by means of the air controlcock 41, then the mass of liquid sprayed from each individual jet headdecreases, but in order to obtain individual regulation of the mass ofliquid sprayed from each individual jet head, the tap or air valve means49 associated therewith is adjusted.

It will be apparent also that the manner in which the spray streamstrikes the web of paper or similar material to be sprayed can bealtered by changing the adjustment of the jets.

In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, one can, forexample, instead of using the hand wheel provide pinion gears 80 in lieuof the hand wheels that are adapted to engage with corresponding toothedportions of a rack 81 or other positioning rod means. Furthermore,magnetic switch means, including a relay and a source of electricalenergy for actuation thereof, can be associated with the spray heads,and thus these can be also controlled from a remote control station.

The device, according to the invention, affords various controlpossibilities in many varied forms and precise direction of liquid to besprayed over large work areas. This can not only be done with one sprayhead but with a series such as described herein as well. The practical,pressureless control of the liquid permits corresponding further controlprofiles for liquids to be sprayed so that the danger of stoppage in thecanals caused by foreign matter deposits or the like is avoided.

That which is claimed is:

1. An improved spray device comprising a liquid containing reservoir,plural tubular suction means extending from said reservoir and includingsubstantially aligned exit end portions terminating in a cap means,longitudinally extending apertured valve means provided with a boreadapted to be associated with said cap means, an atomizer head incommunication with the bore in said longitudinally apertured valvemeans, a source of air supply for feeding air to said atomizer head andmeans operatively associated with said valve means for aligning thelongitudinally extending bore thereof with either of said suction tubes.

2. An improved spray device according to claim 1,

wherein the bore in said valve means is displaced eccentrically relativeto the longitudinal axis thereof.

3. An improved spray device according to claim 1, wherein the meansoperatively associated with said valve means for actuation thereofincludes a manually operated means.

4. An improved spray device according to claim 1, wherein the meansoperatively associated with said valve means for actuation thereofincludes a remotely controlled means.

5. An improved spray device according to claim 1, wherein the source ofair supply to be fed to the atomizer head is controlled by a secondvalve means.

6. An improved spray device according to claim 3, wherein said manuallyoperated means include lock means to prevent inadvertent displacement ofsaid longitudinal bore of said valve means relative to said cap means.

7. An improved spray device comprising a liquid containing reservoir,plural suction means extending from said reservoir and including exitend portions terminating in a transversely extending cap means, alongitudinally bored rotary valve means in communication with said capmeans, a sleeve means encompassing said valve means and including meansfor securing the same to the reservoir with the free end of said sleeveextending beyond and shrouding the rotary valve means, an atomizer headassociated with said longitudinally bored valve means, a source of airsupply in communication with said rotary valve means and said atomizerhead and means operatively associated with said valve means for aligningthe bore thereof with either of said suction tubes.

8. An improved spray device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the atomizerhead includes a longitudinally extending passageway and pluralintersecting passageways communicating therewith terminating in spacedlyarranged chambers, water jet means positioned in said chambers, aircontrol means telescoping the water jet means and nozzle means to directthe air emitted from the air control means in a convergent stream infront of the Water jet means. 1

9. An improved spray device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the aircontrol means includes means to create a rotary motion in the airstreamprior to its being emitted from the nozzle.

10. A device for atomizing and applying liquid media to traveling dryfibrous materials, the combination comprising, an elongated reservoir,plural tubular suction means extending from said reservoir and includingsubstantially aligned exit end portions terminating in a cap means,pressure equalization means for feeding liquid thereto, a series oflongitudinally extending spacedly arranged first valving means adaptedto communicate with the liquid in said reservoir, jet means associatedwith said first valving means, means for actuating said valving means,means for introducing pressurized air into each of said jet means, aircontrol means carried by said jet means for withdrawing the liquid fromsaid reservoir, and means operatively associated with said valve meansfor aligning the longitudinally extending bore thereof with either ofsaid suction tubes.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a second valving means isadapted to control the pressurized air emitted to said jets.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said liquid reservoir isprovided with an overflow control means adapted to maintain the liquidtherein at a substantially constant level. i

No references cited.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

1. AN IMPROVED SPARY DEVICE COMPRISING A LIQUID CONTAINING RESERVOIR,PLURAL TUBULAR SUCTION MEMBER EXTENDING FROM SAID RESERVOIR ANDINCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED EXIT END PORTIONS TERMINATING IN A CAPMEANS, LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING APERTURED VALVE MEANS PROVIDED WITH ABORE ADAPTED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CAP MEANS, AN ATOMIZER HEAD INCOMMUNICATION WITH THE BORE IN SAID LONGITUDINALLY APERTURED VALVEMEANS, A SOURCE OF AIR SUPPLY FOR FEEDING AIR TO SAID ATOMIZER HEAD ANDMEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID VALVE MEANS FOR ALIGNING THELONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING BORE THEREOF WITH EITHER OF SAID SUCTION TUBES.